Popular music venue in Ashland closes – Medford News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News

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Popular music venue in Ashland closes Jan 12, 2014 12:00 AM A A Alex's Restaurant — a popular musical venue in Ashland that has featured many local bands — abruptly closed its doors Saturday. "It's done," said co-owner Charles Tobey. "It wasn't our idea. It's a big convoluted thing." Tobey said he wasn't prepared to discuss the closure because it has been emotionally draining. "There's no simple thing that's going to make a lot of sense to people," he said. Tobey and partner Quinn Courtright have run Alex's for 10 years, but it has been in existence for about 30 years. It has hosted many local bands over the years from its second-story perch above the plaza. Santa Claus heralded the tree-lighting ceremony from the balcony last year. — Damian Mann